The National Archives Education Service

Henry VIII: Image of a King

Preparation materials for videoconference/virtual classroom (KS2) Contents

Teacher’s notes .................................................................................................................. 3

Document 1: E 36/228 ........................................................................................................ 4

Account of stuffs for the tourney (joust).

Word cards ....................................................................................................................... 6

Individual word cards from E 36/228 describing the images used to decorate Henry VIII’s jousting horse.

Transcript: word cards .................................................................................................... 11

A transcript of the words for the teacher’s reference.

Document 2: KB 27/1024 .................................................................................................. 12

Plea Roll from the Court of the King’s Bench.

Document 3: E 328/408 .................................................................................................... 13

Great Seal (obverse) of Henry VIII.

Document 4: E 36/228 .................................................................................................... 14

Portrait of Henry VIII from the Valor Ecclesiasticus. Students do not need to do any work in preparation for this videoconference/virtual classroom. However, if there are students who have visual impairments and may have difficulty viewing the screen during the session, please enlarge copies of the documents for them to refer to.

This session seeks to develop students' knowledge and understanding how symbols and images were used by Henry VIII to project an image of himself as a great king. Students analyse a range of documents held at The National Archives, including an illuminated portrait, a Great Seal and the Valor Ecclesiasticus. They are also challenged with deciphering Tudor handwriting from Henry VIII’s entertainment book.

Background information

Henry VIII came to the throne aged just 17. From the beginning of his reign, he sought to bolster his image as a magnificent king. His reign was characterised by extravagant ceremonials, pageantry and tournaments which were designed to reinforce the power of the king. Henry was also involved in constructing his own image on documents, clothing, canvas and buildings through the Court painters and craftsmen he employed. He merged traditional images of kingship and his own personal symbols to build an image of himself as a great king.

Useful links

Find out more about our documents via The National Archives’ Henry VIII Exhibition: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/henryviii/

‘How did Henry VIII get up in the morning?’ Find out with our online lesson: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/henry-viii/

Explore our Tudor website made collaboratively with the V&A Museum: www.tudorbritain.org/joust Account of stuffs for the tourney (joust)

Item a barge covered with a border of damask embroidered in silver of damask at the edge at may.

Item a barge and a garnet of all things belonging of the same color and size.

Item the same day for one of the kings there were a barge covered with cloths of damask and damask velvet embroidered at the bord of England embroidered with crimson imperial and claret and purple.

Item a saddle with garnet and all things thereof belonging of the same color and size.

Item a barge covered with cloths of red and damask velvet and cloths of gold of damask embroidered at Seagon, powdered with red rose.

Item a saddle with garnet and all things thereof belonging of the same color and size.

Item a barge covered with cloths of red and damask velvet and cloths of gold of damask embroidered at Seagon, powdered with rose color.

Item a saddle with garnet and all things thereof belonging of the same color and size.

Item a barge covered with cloths of gold of damask white a border of damask velvet embroidered in cloths of gold of damask.

Item a barge of the same size.

Item a saddle with garnet and all things thereof belonging of the same color. Henry VIII: Image of a King

Preparation materials for videoconference/virtual classroom (KS2)

Document 1: E 36/228 continued Individual word cards taken from E 36/228 describing the images used to decorate Henry VIII’s jousting horse Word card: 2 (E 36/228) Word card: 3 (E 36/228) Word card: 4 (E 36/288) Word card: 5 (E 36/288)

## Transcript: word cards 1-5

A transcript of the words for the teacher’s reference

| Word Card no. | Tudor word | Modern spelling | Meaning | |---------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | Crownes Imperiall| Crown Imperial | Traditional symbol of royal authority. | | 2 | Lyon of England | Lion of England | A royal symbol of England. Lions were associated with deathless courage.| | 3 | Greate Rosis | Great Roses | The Tudor Rose – a symbol of unity and peace between the Yorkist and Lancastrian families. | | 4 | Grayehowndes | Greyhounds | A favourite animal of the Lancastrian Edward III. Very fast animals, known for their loyalty. The greyhound represents the obedience of Henry’s subjects. | | 5 | Dragones | Dragons | Royal symbols of Britain. Showed Henry’s Welsh descent. Animal known for guarding treasure, showing that Henry will protect and guard the nation’s wealth. | Document 2: KB 27/1024

Plea Roll from the Court of the King’s Bench Document 3: E 328/408

Great Seal (obverse) of Henry VIII Document 4: E 344/22

Portrait of Henry VIII from the Valor Ecclesiasticus